Intel presents wearable technology vision

Intel used its keynote presentation at CES to focus on wearable technology, with Chief Executive Brian Krzanich providing a whistlestop tour of wearable devices that the company will be rolling out. Products touched on included a wearable baby monitor, some smart earbuds and an always-on headset.

Intel also announced the "Make it Wearable" Challenge, a competition that will distribute more than US$1.3 million in awards to participants who have ideas around wearable technology with the potential to shift universal perspective and improve the world in a meaningful way, or concepts that push the limits of what's possible.

Make it Wearable is aimed at encouraging innovation with Intel technology and the company’s release of a new ultra-small programmable computer aimed at hackers and developers is another means by which this can be achieved, as well as providing a platform that participants can build upon for challenge entries.

Edison is a SD-card sized, Pentium-class PC that's powered by dual-core 22 nm Intel Quark technology with a Linux operating system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The device will also have its own app store.

Intel used Rest Devices’ Mimo Baby product line to demonstrate the potential uses of Edison. With an Edison and sensors built into a baby’s onesie, information about movement, temperature and breathing can be relayed to a smartphone app for parental peace of mind.

Another body monitoring device unveiled by Intel was its new smart earbuds. Aimed at fitness enthusiasts, they provide a way to listen to music when exercising, while also monitoring heart rate and pulse. An accompanying app tracks running distance, monitors calories burned and provides tailored fitness coaching.

A second piece of headgear showcased was Jarvis, an always-on headset that will integrate with existing devices such as phones and laptops. Jarvis is only a prototype at present, but once launched will offer similar functionality to tools like Siri. Pairing it with a smartphone app, for example, will allow users to interact with their phone verbally.

Intel also announced collaborations with a number of organizations, including Barneys New York, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Opening Ceremony to "explore and bring to market smart wearable technology."

For more information about the Make it Wearable Challenge, take a look at the video below.

Stu is a tech writer based in Liverpool, UK. He has previously worked on global digital estate management at Amaze and headed up digital strategy for FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology). He likes cups of tea, bacon sandwiches and RSS feeds. All articles by Stu Robarts

Good, Raspberry Pi down to Cubox down to Edison. My next PC is almost here. :)

dalroth5 8th January, 2014 @ 12:53 pm PST

I don't think I'm the only parent who simultaneously thinks: Excellent bit of tech to help me keep an eye on my little one and What about the possible ill effects of keeping the electronics so close the my babies internal organs?

Radio waves float around us all the time and Bluetooth is certainly low power, but this is in direct contact with the baby. The luddite in me is suspicious.